Former municipality stalwart Carl Fischer dies
HE once arrived at work clad in Arabian robes, and at lunchtime he would usually swap his suits for shorts and take walks with his staff.
His random surprises and reputation as a great administrator are what former Port Elizabeth director of administration Carl Frederich Fischer will be remembered for.
Fischer, 78, who headed the administration of the then Port Elizabeth Municipality for 17 years, died on Monday.
His wife, Marcelle, 67, who was also his secretary during his tenure at the municipality, recalled how Fischer turned up at work one day dressed in Arab robes.
“We were shocked to see him dressed in the attire and we were laughing.
“He was a strict disciplinarian but he had a soft side,” she said.
“At work he was the boss, but during lunchtime he would wear shorts and we would take a walk from the office to Settlers Park and back.”
Marcelle worked as Fischer’s secretary from 1986, before they became a couple in 1996. They were married a year later.
A distraught Marcelle said she was not ready to lose Fischer.
“It happened so quickly. One never prepares for such times.
“He was at the frail care centre for three weeks, then on Sunday he got pneumonia,” she said.
Describing her husband, Marcelle said: “He was a devout man who loved the Lord. He came across as a strict person but underneath that was a person who had soft heart. He was a great dad to his two sons.”
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Nceba Faku was shocked to hear of Fischer’s death yesterday.
“What a professional man, dedicated and loyal. He was very conservative and did things by the book, but when you had a different opinion he would listen to you,” Faku said.
“This is shocking to hear, just when I was thinking if God can give me resources to have a gathering with my old staff.
“My sincere condolences to his family. We are happy to have worked with such a man. I am very sad that I did not have the time to meet with him before he passed,” Faku said.
DA MPL Bobby Stevenson, who was a councillor during Fischer’s tenure, said: “Mr Fischer was one of the people who worked with us to ensure Port Elizabeth became the first city in the country to have a transitional council.
“He was a good administrator, a very sharp legal mind and a hard worker. On behalf of the DA, we would like to send our condolences to his family.”
Fischer’s memorial service will be held at the New Life worship centre in Humansdorp tomorrow.